Nasal inhaler



oct. 13, 1936. c, B STRUCH 2,057,397

ivAsAL INHALER Filed March 5, 1935 www@ Patented Oct. 13, 1936 UNITEDSTATES PATENT (lli-FICE NAsAL INHALER f l t Clauss Burkart Strauch, NewYork, N. l Application March 5, 193.5, Serial No. 9,395

1 Claim.

This invention relates to improvements of nasal inhalers adapted tocontain medicament and to be inserted into the nostrils and to be heldthere by engagement with the nose for the period of time desirable toapply said medicaments.

which is medically objectionable even after such* inhalers lwere cleanedwith difficulty, and of such Weight that only considerable pressure andfriction leading to irritation 'and discomfort could hold the inhaler tothe nose.

Object of my -invention is to provide a nasal inhaler made ofunoffensive or even vtransparent material; semiexiblcand elastic; madeso cheap and simple that it is to be used only once; and of such lowweight that it is held in the nostrils Without pressure or discomfort.

People using a nasal inhaler are generally afflicted with nasalirritation and infectious discharge. This condition increases greatlythe disi advantages of the nasal inhalers used heretofore which pressedthe sensitive tissues, becamev involved with the infectious secretionsand were apt to carry germs and causes for reinfection in the crevicesand cavities of the structure. My invention is especially designed foruse in diseased nasal conditions Where it will not irritate thesensitized tissues due to its smooth surfaces, elastic structure andeasy weight; Will Aeliminate necessity of re-use and harboring of germson account of its low cost; and will not make the diseased conditioneasily apparent due to the unoffensive and even transparent materialemployed.- v

With the foregoing objects outlined and with other objects in view whichwill appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in thenovel features hereinafter described in detail, illustrated in theaccompanying drawing and more particularly pointed out in the appendedclaim.

Fig. 1 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a preferred form of theouter shell of the device as produced in the course-of manufacture ofthe nasal inhalers.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the preferred form ofthe outer shell complemented by a filler of absorbent material provided(c1. 12s-119s) with an optional central passage for air. This viewrepresents the finished nasal inhaler.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of my improved nasal inhaler.

In the drawing, 4 designates the outer shelliof the inhaler. It consistssubstantially of a cone or cup, which has an entrance 5, and an exltw.

The cup has in its "preferredfgrm a collariJF.

- 8 representsa filler of absorbftwf'a'l, such as cotton or Wool whichis inserted into the shell 4 and preferably keptl in its place by a glue9. The filler can be provided by a central air pasunsealing, orpreferably celluloid, by pressing and pleating the cone on dies with orwithout help of heat, Cellophane or celluloid of the thickness ofcellophane used in several layers, is easily pressed and pleated betweencold or hot dies to cup shape and will keep this shape aided byinsertion of the filler and its xation.

It is also a part of my invention to use a layer of non-transparentmaterial as specified above in connection with one or several layers oftransparent material in the manufacture of ksaid shells 'for the purposeof improving appearance and protecting the non-transparent shell fromthe effect of any drugs to be used on the absorbent ller.

I prefer to carry out my invention by forming the shells of my inhalerfrom thin celluloid. This material, supplied in sheets or rolls of paperthickness, is led over a heated female die corresponding to its intendedshape as shown in Fig. 1 and pressed and pleated into this die by acorresponding male die while it is softened by the heat. It was foundpractical to use celluloid in band shape, to preheat the celluloid tosoftness before it reached the dies and form and pleat it quicklybetween the dies into the cup shape. The exit 6 of the cone and theouter circumference of the brim 1 is punched out with the same or asubsequent operation. The finished shell of my inhaler, made as heredescribed, represents a dainty cup shaped transparent shell, generallyweighing approximately 1 grain (11g gram) and showing some firmlypleated folds. I prefer the inhaler in a round cup shape since it caneasily be bent into an oval shape similar to the nostrils. Withoutleaving this invention, the shape can also be pressed or pleated`primarily oval or oblong.

The cup shaped shell of the inhaler has the purpose of giving form andshape to the ller 8, to keep the air passage l intact, to facilitateremoval, and to prevent contact of the generally highly irritatingvolatile medicament with the sensitive mucous membrane.

The filler 8 provides a receptacle for the volatile medicament. In itspreferred form as shown in Fig. 2 'it consists of a brous material suchas wool or cotton which is glued into the cup and provided with an airpassage. It can also be held in its place by narrowing somewhat theentrance 5 of the cup which is easily done by forming or pleating thisentrance narrower than the body of the cup or by attaching a perforatedcover over the entrance 5.

The nasal inhaler described above can also be used with advantage tolter the air entering the nose, from hayfever-pollens, dust or poisonousgases. For this purpose the ller can preferably be constructed fromglass wool, charcoal or brous material and is preferably arranged in theshell 4 loosely and without a central air passage.

For use, the ller if not supplied medicated will be impregnated with avolatile medicament as by dropping a few drops of such medicament from abottle upon this filler, and one cone thusl prepared will be insertedinto each nostril. The

brim will prevent too deep insertion and facilitate removal of theappliance. The inhaler can be in its position during Work, on the streetand overnight and atords excellent means for prolonged eiect of anyvolatile medicament.

In the rst portion of this specification, I have set forth theadvantages of the invention over the known systems and while I havedisclosed what I consider to be some preferred embodiments of theinvention in such manner that the same may be readily understood bythose skilled in the art, it is manifest that changes may be made in thedetails disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention asexpressed in the claim.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

An article of the character described comprising .a substantiallyconical imperforate open ended tubular shell formed from thin cellulosicsheet material and being light, smooth, transparent and non-absorbent,the shell being provided at its large end with an annular ange extendingoutwardly away from the axis of the shell, a filling of absorbentmaterial positioned within the shell, and means securing the filling tothe shell.

CLAUSS BURKART STRAUCH.

